Western Meadowlark and Indian Paintbrush

by Don Balke

Title

Western Meadowlark and Indian Paintbrush

Artist

Don Balke

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Water Color Paper

Description

In plumage there is little to distinguish the Western Meadowlark from its Eastern counterpart. Both have streaked upper parts, a yellow breast with a black V, and white outer tail feathers. The Westerner, however, is somewhat paler. In the realm of song, all resemblance ceases. Unlike the Easterner's plaintive, whistled song, the Western Meadowlark's phrases contain hints of the wood thrush and the Baltimore oriole, with some of the bobolink's exuberance added for good measure. Both species of Meadowlarks overlap in the central states, but do not inter-breed. Females apparently choose their mates on the basis of their distinctive call notes.

The Indian Paintbrush is one of a group of plants that seem, at first glance, to bear bright flowers, but a closer look shows that appearances are sometimes deceiving. Actually the tubular creamy flowers, about one inch in length, are almost hidden by the sepals, which are tipped with orange red, and light-red bracts, which are one-to-two inches long. The real leaves are green. They, and the rest of the plant, are covered with short fine hairs. This member of the figwort family grows to about two feet in height, and near the ground it divides into stalks which in turn have little branches. This Wyoming plant resembles a paintbrush.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB05670

Uploaded

March 21st, 2022

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags